Resident Doctors In Sussex Begin Five-Day Strike Over Pay And Training Concerns

Patients in Sussex and across south-east England are being warned to expect disruption as resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, begin a five-day strike.

NHS trusts in the region say they are struggling to maintain services at the levels seen during previous walkouts.

The strike is part of a long-running dispute over pay, with the British Medical Association calling for a long-term plan to increase resident doctors’ salaries and a guarantee of new training places for qualified doctors.

Milo Simpson, a resident doctor in acute medicine at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, joined the picket line.

He said:

"I do not want to be out on strike today — I'd much rather be at work.

"However, we cannot continue to face the recruitment and retention crisis caused by pay erosion."

This is the 14th strike in the ongoing dispute. Health officials warn that appointments and procedures may be cancelled or rescheduled as a result.

Dr Gareth Roberts, a respiratory consultant at a Surrey NHS trust, said:

"Staff across the organisation are affected, and colleagues are having to make difficult calls to patients to explain that their appointments or procedures have been cancelled or rearranged.

"That puts a lot of pressure on everyone involved."

Kate Langford, chief medical officer for NHS Kent & Medway, advised patients during the strike:

"If you have a serious or life-threatening issue, call 999 or attend an emergency department as usual — that care will be available.

"For less urgent matters, contact NHS 111 first before coming to hospital."

The health secretary has warned that talks with the BMA have so far made little progress on pay, though agreement has been reached on some aspects of jobs.

He said the strikes would cost the NHS millions and put pressure on services, while expressing regret that a resolution has not yet been found.